[01] Ercakica stated that the Turkish sides position for a timetable
has been accepted by the international community

[02] BKP: The ECJs verdict on the Orams case was a necessity of the
international law

[03] Columnist in Cyprus Today wonders why Greek Cypriots do not go to
the Turkish military camps to claim their occupied properties

[04] Turkeys National Security Council stated that the solution in
Cyprus should be a new partnership established by two founder states
under equal status, within the framework of bizonality and political
equality

[13] A Columnist in Hurriyet assess Obamas new policy and his
expectations from Turkey

[14] Sabah Athens correspondent: There are many countries within the EU
that will give the green light for the Taiwan model

[01] Ercakica stated that the Turkish sides position for a timetable
has been accepted by the international community

Under the title Acceptance of Talats policy, Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibrisli newspaper (01.07.09) reports on statements made by Hasan
Ercakica, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Mehmet Ali Talat,
during his weekly press conference held yesterday.

According to Kibrisli, Hasan Ercakica stated that the high level visits
performed in Cyprus during last week need to be considered as an
indication of the increased interest the international community shows
in the Cyprus problem and expressed satisfaction that high ranking
officials from the EU and the USA come to the island and listen to the
views of the Turkish Cypriot side, and, therefore, the Turkish Cypriot
side is given the opportunity of expressing from first hand its
commitment to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Pointing to the agreement reached between the two leaders on the
opening of occupied Limnitis crossing point which has created
excitement and pleasure between the sides which desire for a solution
to the Cyprus problem, Mr. Ercakica said that in this framework, the
visits to Cyprus paid by the President of the EU Commission, Jose
Manuel Barroso, the Vice-President of the European Commission, Gunter
Verheugen and the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European
and Eurasian Affairs, Matthew Bryza, were positively assessed.

Mr. Ercakica said further that the Turkish Cypriot side attaches great
importance to another development: The fact that the representatives of
the international community have started to utter more loudly that 2009
is the right time to bring a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus
problem and that this is a stance which is often expressed not only by
the US and the EU officials, but also by the officials of states which
exhibit interest in the Cyprus problem.

This stance is an indication that in the international arena President
Mehmet Ali Talats policy that it is possible for a solution agreement
to be reached in 2009 and that the negotiation process could not
continue forever because of natural timetables is accepted, Hasan
Ercakica stated and continued as follows: We hope that those who do not
want to see this reality and try to prolong the process, or to make the
process unfruitful, will understand that the expectation of the
international community is not in this direction and that the
responsibility of the two sides in Cyprus is to reach to a fair and
lasting solution the soonest.

(ML)

[02] BKP: The ECJs verdict on the Orams case was a necessity of the
international law

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (01.07.09) reports that the
United Cyprus Party (BKP) expressed the opinion that the verdict of the
European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the Orams case was a requirement of
the international law.

Mr Zeki Besiktepeli, Foreign Relations Secretary of the BKP, issued a
written statement yesterday noting that those who say that the verdict
of the ECJ on the Orams case was political are not right and that this
decision was a legal decision and a necessity of the international
law.

Mr Besiktepeli argued that the statements made by the Turkish side,
which argues that the ECJ took a side on the issue because its
President was Greek and that the decision was political, show that they
(the Turks) are unaware of how the ECJ functions and of the
international law. He pointed out the following: It is not the
President who takes the decisions of the ECJ. The decisions are taken
unanimously by eleven judges. Moreover, the decisions are based on the
grounds of the international law.

Mr Besiktepeli expressed the view that the protests of some NGOs and
associations against the ECJs decision are efforts in vain and added:
Those who bear the responsibility for the ECJs decision today, and
protest should be directed against them, are the separatist mentality
and leadership who, by rejecting the international law, distributed
title deeds and passed the Housing, Landownership and Equivalent
Property (ITEM) laws. The decision taken by the ECJ regarding the Orams
case is the declaration of the bankruptcy of the property structure
established in northern Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Columnist in Cyprus Today wonders why Greek Cypriots do not go to
the Turkish military camps to claim their occupied properties

Under the title Time to tell the Greeks: Shut it!, Cyprus Today Midweek
(01.07.09) reports the following by Tom Roche:

A new border crossing is to be opened at Yesilirmak [occupied Limnitis]
in the far north-west. It will bring permanent land access to the
historic Turkish Cypriot enclave of Erenkoy [occupied Kokkina] and
allow locals to go south without the need to drive about two hours to
Lefkosia.

Do I rejoice at this news? Well no, actually, because it will also
make it easier for more Greek Cypriots to come to the North and start
throwing their weight about.

We had a little taste of things to come in Lapta [occupied Lapithos]
last week. My wife spotted a stranger wandering up and down the gecit,
or little lane, which runs between our place and our neighbors. She
asked if she could help him and was told he was looking for his land.

Oh, she said, and which bit is yours then? The stranger threw open his
arms and declared: All of it!. He beetled off and a note was made of
the registration number of his big blue BMW 4x4 (KUK 029-Lapta police,
please note).

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we live in the same
area as Linda and David Orams that encourages these try-on. Anyway,
our belligerent visitor will have to get in the queue with the various
other Greek Cypriots we have had making similar claims. Funny how we
havent had too many of them walking up to Turkish army camps to reclaim
ownership.

It has taken them a while to catch on, but now the Orthodox Church is
getting in on the act. Metropolitan Bishop Iseas is the titular head
of the area that covers St Barnabas Monastery near Salamis.

He has filed a lawsuit against Turkey at the European Court of Human
Rights, claiming he has been deprived of his religious rights and
expelled from his place of worship by force. His application has been
accepted and is awaiting a date for hearing.

There can be no doubt at all about the outcome. Once again Turkey will
be slammed, ordered to pay about a million euros and told that the
Bishop must be allowed to return.

The Orthodox Church in Cyprus is a truly wicked organization which
conspired with the Eoka terrorists who sought to wipe the Turkish
Cypriots from the face of the earth. There will be no mention of this
in Strasbourg.

I began to wonder; just how have the Greek Cypriots convinced
themselves that they still own the whole of Cyprus? For one thing,
their leaders have encouraged this myth for the past 35 years.
Thousands still describe themselves as refugees, even though they live
in comfort, many on Turkish Cypriot land. Then, theres the phenomenon
of the virtual local councils which elect mayors and members, and meet
regularly to decide on things over which they have no jurisdiction,
like the street lighting in Gazi Magusa [occupied Famagusta].

Regular readers will know I call this the Back to Kyrenia syndrome, or
in the case of Christofiass latest demands, back to Kyrenia, Guzelyurt
[occupied Morfou] and the Karpaz [occupied Karpass peninsula].

The other reason is that we in the TRNC have allowed it to happen. In
many ways it is astonishing that the Turkish side is always painted as
the aggressor in Cyprus. To my mind they have been far too
subservient.

Ankaras initiative in opening the border in 2004 wrong-footed the
Greeks, its true, but look at what has happened since then.

It saddened me to see how swiftly the Greek menus went up in Girne
[occupied Keryneia] harbor and elsewhere. Of course our hard-pressed
traders needed the customers, but it was as if the events of the
previous thirty-odd years had never happened.

Five years on and the Turkish Cypriots have become second-best once
again. Trade is more or less one-way, with very little Turkish Cypriot
produce deemed acceptable. The Souths taxis may cross carrying
fare-paying passengers but ours may not go the other way. Most
ludicrously of all, every day coach loads of tourists visit Girne and
Bellapais, led by a Greek Cypriot guide pouring poison in their ears.
Of course no Turkish Cypriot tour guide may operate in the South.

Why do we allow it? It only perpetuates the view that the Greek
Cypriot Republic is a legitimate state while this is not.

Our new Foreign Minister Huseyin Ozgurgun says he is considering ways
to prevent Greek Cypriots coming over here to make claims on land.
Quite rightly, Mr Ozgurgun says they are trying to impose the laws of
another state. Dont worry, minister, should Turkey and the TRNC ever
join the EU, youll get used to that.

Instead of wasting precious parliamentary time, which ought to be used
to deal with the countrys economic crisis, drawing up new legislation,
may I offer a simple and far more effective solution: the Greek
Cypriots have abused their right to visit North Cyprus, so lets put a
stop to it. Shut the gates.

And before you throw your hands up in horror, ask yourselves honestly:
Does a trip to IKEA mean that much to you? How often do you use
Larnaca airport?

When it comes to the border, it is perhaps time for all of us to ask
ourselves: Whose side are we on?

The choice of goods in the shops has increased immeasurably in the last
five years, so shopping is hardly an issue any more. Anyway, what
price freedom from harassment versus a pack of Camembert from
Carrefour?

On the other front, I am quite prepared to put up with Cyprus Turkish
Airlines, which can only improve with planned privatization.

The international community will cry foul, but so what? The Useless
Nations and the Equally Useless (EU) will never support this side
anyway.

No, it is time for a show of strength. Nothing would better
demonstrate who is in control here. It is not the fantasists of
Kyrenia Municipality.

AND another thing: I dont want to hear any more Zorba the Greek at
social functions. Cant we get it into our heads that these people are
no friends of ours?

The next time I hear some wretched bouzouki music and an invitation to
do the syrtaki, I shall be tempted to throw my plate.

[04] Turkeys National Security Council stated that the solution in
Cyprus should be a new partnership established by two founder states
under equal status, within the framework of bizonality and political
equality

Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.06.09) reported the following from
Ankara:

The National Security Council (MGK) of Turkey expressed on Tuesday
reactions to recent statements and reports. The council held its
regular monthly meeting under the chairmanship of President Abdullah
Gul in the Turkish capital of Ankara. The MGK meeting at the
Presidential Palace lasted almost eight hours.

The MGK has expressed views and reactions to recent statements and
remarks aiming to harm our state institutions, and reaffirmed that such
acts will be no use to our country, a statement released at the end of
the meeting said.

In the meeting, the MGK stressed that it will continue, with the
confidence and support of our nation, its fight against every type of
activity aiming to harm the integrity of our country and unity and
tranquility of our nation, the statement said. Chief of General Staff
Gen. Ilker Basbug held a press conference on Friday regarding the
alleged anti-government plot document published in the Taraf daily,
following the decision of the Military Prosecutor's decision not to
launch prosecution regarding allegations as it assessed that the
document was not drafted at General Staff Headquarters, and such a
document did not exist.He severely criticized news reports over an
alleged anti-government plot document as part of a campaign to smear
the armed forces. We believe that this piece of paper has been forged
by certain circles to wear out and smear the Turkish Armed Forces, Gen.
Basbug was quoted as saying. Gen. Basbug also said during the press
conference that he and other commanders would carry the issue to the
MGK meeting. Basbug met Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on
Monday ahead of today's MGK meeting.

Prime Minister Erdogan, who announced that the investigation into
allegations would be carried out by civilian prosecutors, said all
state organs had full confidence in each other and were loyal to the
constitutional regime and democracy. Also, the council discussed
internal and external developments affecting Turkey's security. The MGK
also said finding a fair and lasting solution to Cyprus problem was
important for ensuring regional security, stability and welfare.
Therefore, Turkey supports the comprehensive settlement negotiations
carried out within the framework of the good will mission of United
Nations Secretary General, and the constructive efforts of the Turkish
Cypriots, the statement said.

The MGK statement also said that a settlement in Cyprus should be a new
partnership established by two founder states under equal status and
within the framework of political equality and bi-zonal structure.

The statement also said that the Treaty of Guarantee and the Treaty of
Alliance should be retained, and a settlement should be taken under
legal guarantee.In its statement, the MGK called on all concerned
parties to refrain from stances that could harm the process, and to
support the United Nations process and parameters.Also, the MGK said it
discussed recent developments in Turkish-Iraqi relations including
fight against terrorism.

The US-deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian
Affairs Matthew Bryza says he is hopeful for a solution in Cyprus by
the end of 2009.He has yet expressed a cautious optimism towards a
settlement by the end of this year, as he said the most difficult
issues concerning the nature of the Cyprus problem will again be
tackled at the end of the process.

Avoiding to give a certain deadline for the solution of the Cyprus
problem, Bryza said the solution process cannot go forever.

The US-deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian
Affairs Matthew Bryza held a press conference in the buffer zone today,
to evaluate contacts he held both in the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyrus and the Greek Cypriot Administration.

Matthew Bryza was received by the TRNC President Mehmet Ali Talat,
Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu and the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris
Christofias as part of his contacts in Cyprus.

Bryza appreciated the two leaders joint willingness for a solution to
the Cyprus problem and said both sides have been trying to understand
each others perspective as part of heavy peaceful efforts. He said
there has been a very dynamic negotiations process going on in Cyprus
within the presence of a positive energy.

Offering his countrys support to the two parties in Cyprus in their
efforts to reach a political settlement on their own, Bryza pointed out
that current negotiations have a unique nature as this time the two
sides are negotiating on a basis of ideas they designed themselves,
without outside assistance.

There are serious differences of philosophical nature on some issues
between the two parties such as the political justice and security, but
I have been told that they can bridge the gaps, Bryza said.

Referring to the process of opening the Yesilirmak [occupied Limnitis]
crossing point, he said the opening of the gate is not only a good
development in terms of confidence-building measures but also a
significant factor to accelerate efforts towards finding a solution. He
noted that the US is ready to provide financial assistance for
infrastructure works in the area.

Expressing support to the peaceful efforts of the United Nations into
the Cyprus solution process, Matthew Bryza reiterated the Washingtons
desire towards the establishment of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation
to reunify Cyprus. We want all people of Cyprus to feel the sense of
justice and human rights within a federal state he stressed.

We want the two sides to come up with a balance between the political
minority and political majority where rights of both sides will be
respected, Bryza added. Deputy Assistant Secretary said establishing
such a balance is not impossible.

Responding to a question on Turkeys role in Cyprus, Mr Bryza emphasized
that Turkey encourages a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation on the
island.

For another question on the Greek Cypriot Administrations oil
exploration, which received the Turkish sides widespread reaction,
Bryza said this issue is a commercial and legal one and expressed the
hope that it will not have an impact on the negotiations.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (01.07.09)
reports on statements made by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
for European and Eurasian Affairs, Matthew Bryza, during a press
conference held yesterday at the Fullbright centre in Cyprus. As the
paper writes in its front page, Mr. Bryzas reply that Turkey is a super
power and therefore, the United States can not exert pressure on it,
has caused a shock to the Greek Cypriots who wish for pressure to be
put on Turkey.

(ML)

[06] Talat stated that the project aiming to bring water from Turkey
will be beneficial once a solution is found to the Cyprus problem

Illegal Bayrak television broadcast the following:

A two-day water summit organized by the Supporting Activities that
Value the Environment (SAVE) funded by USAID has ended. The Water
Summit focused on Critical Resources, Critical Questions: Focusing on
Demand Management to Address Supply Constraints.

Todays session featured presentations and two panel discussions on
developing and managing water resources. The summit started yesterday
with opening speeches by President of the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus Mehmet Ali Talat, US Ambassador Frank Urbancic and SAVE Project
Manager Barbara Rossmiller.

The first to speak was Ms Rossmiller who said that existing ground
water supplies continue to shrink while the demand for water supplies
continues to grow. She said the key to solve this problem is to find a
way to reduce the demand for water to match the existing sustainable
supply.

US Ambassador Urbancic took to the stage next and said that the water
summit was carried out with Turkish Cypriots for Turkish Cypriots, with
the hope that they will find better ways to manage water supplies.

President Talat, for his part, stressed the importance of water for the
island and underlined the need to conserve the water supply on the
island.

He said there was a price to pay for the natural resources that were
being used and this was reflected in the damage that it was doing to
the land.The President said that everyone must be made aware that they
will be paying the price for their water usages in the future.

Referring to the project aiming to bring water from Turkey, the
President said that the project would be beneficial to all on the
island once a solution is found to the Cyprus problem.

But, he noted that the most important thing is to use water resources
carefully.

The last day of the Water Summit featured working group sessions and
two panel discussions; `Water on the people` and `Water for the land`.
Through expert panel discussions and interactive working groups, a
series of immediate commitments, short- and medium-term
recommendations, and potential policy reforms were developed. Closing
speeches were made by TRNC Minister of Agriculture and Natural
Resources Nazim Cavusoglu and SAVE Project Manager Barbara Rossmiller.
The summit ended with a closing reception.

[07] Six persons have tested positive for swine flu in occupied Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (01.07.09) reports that six
persons have so far tested positive for swine flu in the occupied areas
of the Republic of Cyprus. On the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni
Duzen newspaper (01.07.09) writes that blood samples of ten individuals
have been sent to Ankara for test, among them the samples of a doctor
and medical staff. The paper also publishes statements made by the
chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Doctors Union, Alper Baydar, who said
that cooperation between the ministry of health in the north and the
ministry of health in the south should be established in order for the
swine flu to be tackled.

Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.06.09) reported the following from
Brussels:

The total number of chapters opened to negotiation in Turkey's EU
adhesion process rose up to 11 with the opening of a policy chapter on
taxation on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference following an intergovernmental
conference held in the Belgian capital of Brussels, Turkish State
Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU Talks Egemen Bagis said that
Turkey was determined to play its game according to the rules.

Bagis said Turkey expected EU not to hinder the chapters that are ready
to be opened technically and to finalize the reports of the previously
opened chapters as soon as possible. Turkey's EU adhesion process can
only achieve its goals if both parties stick to their liabilities,
Bagis said. Bagis also thanked EU's term president Czech Republic and
the European Commission for the efforts they displayed for the opening
of the chapter on taxation. He said Turkey would like to open as many
chapters as it can during Sweden's upcoming rotating presidency.

Criticizing the Greek Cypriot veto against the opening of the energy
chapter, Bagis said Greek Cypriots risked the energy needs of 490
million Europeans by hampering such chapter.

Commenting on the reopening of Heybeliada Seminary as well, Bagis said
that such issue was assessed within the context of meeting the needs of
the Greek Orthodox community who are equal citizens.

Upon a question on a recently adopted amendment paving the way for the
trial of army members by civilian courts, Michael Leigh, European
Commission's Director General for Enlargement, said that providing a
civilian control over the army was a key priority for Turkey.

Speaking at the conference, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kohout said that
his country was quite happy with the opening of the chapter on taxation
on the last day of its term presidency.

As part of its EU negotiation process, Turkey has so far opened
chapters on free movement of capital, company law, intellectual
property law, information society and media, enterprise and industry
policy, trans-European networks, consumer and health protection,
statistics, financial control, and science and research.The taxation
chapter opened today is the eleventh of a total of 33 chapters.Direct
and indirect taxes in Turkey will be compatible with the acquis thanks
to the chapter on taxation. Turkey is expected to attract more direct
foreign investments after reaching EU standards in taxation, officials
said.

[09] PM Erdogan addressed the Turkish nation: We cannot accept any
other goal but full membership at any stage of the negotiations with
the EU

Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.06.09) reported the following from
Ankara:

The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday Turkey's
expectation at the end of European Union (EU) entry negotiations is
"full membership" and "accession".

In an address to the Turkish nation on TV channels, Erdogan said that
Turkey is determined to go after changes not only in the economy but in
all fields. One of our goals that carries high importance is full
membership in the EU, Erdogan said. We can not accept any other goal
but full membership at any stage of negotiations with the EU, Erdogan
said. We are saddened by the fact that certain European politicians use
Turkey's EU membership issue in their domestic politics and this issue
is exploited, Erdogan said. Such politicians unfortunately hurt the
relations between our countries, Erdogan stressed.

Turkey's direction is clear. EU membership is only a tool. The real
goal is to carry Turkey to further points of contemporary civilization,
Erdogan said. We will solve our problems in democracy and complete the
process of change, Erdogan said. Our struggle will continue until our
humans reach comfort and faces smile, Erdogan said.

Some of the most respectable global authorities refer to Turkey as the
country that will come out of the global economic crisis most rapidly.
We share the same notions. I would like to give this good news to you,
Erdogan said. Turkey has gone over the difficulties and we have seen
the light at the end of the tunnel, Erdogan said. We believe that all
of our economic precautions will reach the goal and we will begin to
feel the results of economic revival in the shortest time possible,
Erdogan said. What we have to do here is to preserve Turkey's stability
and use energy without paying attention to disaster scenarios, Erdogan
said.All economic indicators show that the global economic crisis is
slowly ending. This is a pleasing development, Erdogan also said.

Hurriyet Daily News.com (01.07.09) reports the following from
Istanbul:

Gen. David Petraeus, the head of United States Central Command, arrived
Tuesday in Ankara to meet Turkish officials on the eve of the
withdrawal of U.S. troops from neighboring Iraq. The U.S. ambassador to
Turkey, however, said the visit is not related to the pullout in Iraq.

Turkey has said it could possibly agree to the use of Turkish soil for
the withdrawal of U.S. troops from neighboring Iraq. Turkey, a NATO
member, is also a key U.S. ally in Afghanistan.

Petraeus, who oversees American war efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq,
will hold talks with Turkish officials on Wednesday, reported Anatolian
news agency, citing the U.S. Embassy.

In the meantime, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey James Jeffrey said
Petraeus's visit was not related with the withdrawal of combat troops
from Iraq, the Anatolian Agency reported. Jeffrey told at a meeting in
the Aegean province of Izmir that no concrete plans were yet in place
for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, and added there have been no talks
between the United States and Turkey regarding this.

He said Petraeus's area of command covered the Middle East and Central
Asia, which Turkey showed close interest in. Jeffrey acknowledged that
the U.S. worked together with Turkey against the terrorist organization
PKK, and in Afghanistan, adding that his visit was mainly concerning
these topics. American troops finally withdrew from Iraqi towns and
cities in a milestone for the country's recovery six years after the
U.S.-led invasion to hand over to Iraqi security forces.

Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.06.09) reported the following from the
United Nations:

Turkey's one month long term presidency at the United Nations Security
Council will end on Tuesday. Turkey's Permanent Representative at the
United Nations, Ambassador Baki Ilkin, will preside over the meeting of
the Security Council for the last time today. As a temporary member of
the UN Security Council in 2009-2010, Turkey is expected to become a
term president for one month again next year.

During Tuesday's meeting, the situation in Afghanistan and UN's
Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) will be discussed at the
Security Council. Ambassador Ilkin will host a reception to mark the
end of Turkey's term presidency on Tuesday at the Turkish House in New
York. Ilkin will retire in July, 2009.

[12] Navy Col. Dursun Cicek was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to
discredit the government

Turkish daily Hurriyet (online) newspaper (01.07.09), under the title
Turkish court charges colonel suspected of drafting anti-government
plan, reports that a Turkish civilian court arrested a navy colonel
early Wednesday on suspicion of conspiring to discredit the government.
Prosecutors assigned to the country's controversial Ergenekon probe
questioned nine military officers on Tuesday, but asked a court to
arrest only Navy Col. Dursun Cicek, suspected of drafting an alleged
anti-government document. Cicek, charged with membership of an illegal
organization, was sent to a military prison in Istanbul, TV channels
said.

Turkish daily Taraf earlier last month published a document allegedly
drafted by Cicek that contained a plan to fight fundamentalism and
religious movements in the country. The document was aimed particularly
at the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, and the Gulen
movement, which are accused of trying to undermine Turkeys secular
order and establish an Islamic state.

[13] A Columnist in Hurriyet assess Obamas new policy and his
expectations from Turkey

Hurriyet Daily News.com (01.07.09) publishes the following commentary
by Guneyt Ulsever under the title: Obamas difference!:

Obama is leaving the Greater Middle Eastern project behind; the term
moderate Islam is falling into disuse. Obama now needs an ally that
will protect northern Iraq against other elements in Iraq if necessary
and will assist U.S. troops in leaving Iraq. A possible ally is the
Turkish Armed Forces (TSK)! If the TSK and the Turkish government work
together in peace, the U.S. will be delighted.

As columnists, especially pro-government or Islamist colleagues, were
getting caught up by Obama-mania, I was writing, "Only the waiter
changed, not the kitchen." But, I added, The way he serves makes a
difference, though. Here is the difference: the difference that the new
waiter has made without changing anything in the kitchen!

Obama wants to withdraw U.S. troops from the region by turning Iraq
over to safe hands and not jeopardizing its hegemony over Iraqi oil and
natural gas that they confiscated in a difficult and nonsensical war.

In the meantime, we experience "coup-mania" in Turkey in a period where
we have never been so close to a zero coup possibility!

After April 27, when I said, "This is a coup," during an NTV program,
columnists excitedly refused the term and said "[Chief of General
Staff] Buyukan1t doesn t even know this." Now, the coup possibility is
so far away that these same columnists are now bullying the present
Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug!Since he is not afraid, there
is no coup possibility in the air! What is happening, then? The United
States is having a different ally in Turkey!

1) Obama is leaving the Greater Middle Eastern project behind;
therefore, the term "Moderate Islam" is falling into disuse.

2) Therefore, the new U.S. administration does not need the Fethullah
Gulen movement anymore. Even more so, it is a necessity to approach the
Turkish Armed Forces, or TSK, as a possible new ally and to alienate
the Gulen movement!3) In fact, the Gulen movement, despite all its
efforts in 2003 to 2009, has already shown that it has no influence
over Kurds in southeastern Turkey and in northern Iraq. The results of
the March 29 local polls are self-evident.

Obama, in the new period, needs an ally that will protect northern Iraq
against other elements in Iraq if necessary and will assist U.S. troops
in leaving Iraq. A possible ally is the TSK! If the TSK and the Turkish
government work together in peace, the United States will be delighted.
In fact, didnt President Gul announce, "For the first time, two
institutions, the TSK and the government, are thinking alike," and
termed this as an "historic opportunity" for the resolution of the
Kurdish issue?

At a time when the fear of a coup is almost zero, why is a "piece of
paper" causing a big stir?

After the March 29 local elections, officials are engaged in heavy
works. Thats why! And thats why the document is appropriated with the
date "April 2009"! Two possibilities about the document are coming
toward the same thing:1) We saw during the airborne attacks to the
north that the TSK included any type of individuals, even if they are
minorities! They have served until recently.2) The Gulen movement is so
expanded now that to orchestrate it from a single center is
impossible.

I am of the opinion that whether or not the document is original, it
was not prepared by the central will of both sides! I think we will
never learn if it is genuine or not. The document served its purpose.
The ball is in the governments court and it fulfilled its function!
Now, it is the governments decision!

The Justice and Development Party, or AKP, will either go its separate
ways with the Gulen movement, its close ally since 2003, but even more
closely since the July 22 elections, and will benefit from this
"historic opportunity" with the TSK.

[14] Sabah Athens correspondent: There are many countries within the EU
that will give the green light for the Taiwan model

Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (01.07.09) publishes the following
commentary by Nur Batur, the papers correspondent in Athens, under the
title Cyprus? Enough is enough but!:

For a long time now the Greeks have also been tired of listening about
the Cyprus problem. In 2004 many were those who tied their hopes to the
Annan plan. Even leaders like Simitis and Mitsotakis called on the
Greek Cypriots to accept the plan. However, in those days Papadopoulos
declared traitor whoever was saying yes. Karamanlis had just become
Prime Minister. The rein was left completely to Papadopoulos. The
result is known!

A historic opportunity for solution was missed. Although there is no
Papadopoulos and Denktas anymore, there is also no climate for
solution. With whomever I talked in Athens there is no hope that a
solution will be reached by the end of the year in Cyprus. I also
chatted with foreign journalists who have been following the Cyprus
problem for years now. There are also those who brand Christofias as a
hidden Papadopoulos. That is, when I looked from Athens, I did not see
any light for hope at the end of the tunnel for a Cyprus settlement. I
even heard my Greek colleagues, who see the Cyprus problem with a
nationalist eye, saying Enough is enough. Let it finish in one or
another way.

Well, you may say that the accession negotiations between the EU and
Turkey will be interrupted due to Cyprus by the end of 2009, however
Turkey made a reasonable proposal to the EU. Turkey said: I will open
my ports and airports to the Greek Cypriot vessels and planes, but the
EU should apply the decision it took in 2004 and start direct trade
with North Cyprus. In other words, the Taiwan model. In this way,
neither Turkey will recognize officially the Greek Cypriot Sector, nor
will the EU recognize the TRNC. The negotiations for finding a solution
to the problem will continue. There are many countries within the EU
that will give the green light for the Taiwan model. However, there is
no doubt that the bargaining will continue until the last minute. In
any case, the Greek Cypriots and the Greeks are the last to want the
interruption of the negotiations! Because, if its tie with the EU is
broken off, they will be left completely alone with Turkey.